Mazepin shocked at firing from F1 team, creates foundation

Russian Formula One driver Nikita Mazepin said he's still shocked about being fired from the Haas team following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is creating a foundation to help excluded athletes.

Mazepin was fired last Saturday following F1's decision to terminate its contract with the Russian GP.

“I did not expect Haas would break the contract with me. I didn’t see it coming," Mazepin told reporters Wednesday in a news conference. “It was a very painful and unexpected situation for me."

He was not informed by team owner Gene Haas or team principal Guenther Steiner, but by a lawyer.

“I do feel like I should have had more (support) because there has been no legal reason for the team to terminate my contract," he said. “I lost my dream.”

Mazepin, whose father reportedly has close links with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sidestepped questions about the war, saying he sees it “on many more levels” than outsiders.

Mazepin learned he was fired at the same time the press did.

"I’m a young man at 23 and I was not ready,” he said. "I did not receive any hint or any support to say ‘This is is the decision we’ve taken, it’s going to go live in 15 minutes, just be ready for it.’”

He wants to come back to F1 but not with Haas.

“Formula One is a dangerous sport, and you have rely and believe in the team you are working with," he said. "It’s a question of safety. I think it’s fair to say I do not have that trust in them.”

Motorsport’s governing body FIA has banned Russia from all international events but allows individual drivers as neutrals without their national symbols, flags, colors and anthems.

Ahead of the new season, which starts on March 20 in Bahrain, the FIA also demanded drivers sign its principles of peace and